“The grants package will support more than 2MW of solar-integrated storage across more than 600 Canberra homes and businesses,” Mr Corbell said.

“For the consumer, solar energy can be stored during the day and used later in the evening when we see increased usage on the network.

“The ability of smart batteries to provide extra services to the grid also promises additional income streams for households and businesses.”

The grants are part of the ACT Government plan to support the roll-out of 36MW of distributed battery storage in more than 5,000 homes and businesses by 2020.

Research by the Australian Energy Market Commission and AECOM indicates network savings of up to $220 million could result from a 36MW reduction in peak demand on the ACT network.

“The government has spread its funding across a number of providers to encourage competition, innovation and support a range of technologies,” Mr Corbell said.

“The roll-out of batteries informs critical research and development into how we can transition Australia’s electricity grid to very high penetrations of renewable.

“Batteries will be called on to provide additional technical services to the grid such as helping to manage short term intermittency in generation as well as voltage and frequency fluctuations.

“Our program will generate an unprecedented data set which will inform research in this important area.”

Mr Corbell said Canberrans have access to world-class technology, some of which has been developed in the ACT.

“Earlier this year the government awarded grants for a pilot program which has seen more than 100 batteries sold to date,” Mr Corbell said.

“The Canberra community are early adopters of new technology and are embracing solar and battery storage.

“Feedback from participants is that, in addition to reducing their energy bills, they are getting access to more information about their energy usage patterns which is leading to further energy savings actions in their homes.

“Residents who install a smart battery with one of the successful companies will receive a discount of up to $825 for each kilowatt (kW) of peak sustained output installed for a battery system connected to a new or existing solar system.”

Typically, residential batteries installed under the program range from 2 kW to 5 kW, thereby saving several thousand dollars per system. The amount of support per kW is expected to reduce over time through future grant rounds as competition increases, technology improves and production costs reduce.

“Battery storage is an important complementary technology for the Government’s target of 100% renewable energy by 2020,” Mr Corbell said.

Many of the successful proponents will have their products on display today at the Actsmart Business Sustainability Expo at the Canberra Convention Centre from 10am – 6pm, entry is FREE.